A scenic cycle ride from Gloucester along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the Stroudwater Navigation to Stonehouse and Stroud in the south of England.
I had this all planned ready to go during early November and then when December came, we got Storm Darragh. I was so disappointed that it looked like I wouldn’t get a Christmas Special cycle ride out this year and then I decided to take a days annual leave from work and hope that the weather and trains would hold out and that I would get enough time to complete filming and editing.
We start in Gloucester heading over to Gloucester Docks and then following the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal heading south. Around half way we then head east picking up a little of the Stroudwater Navigation Canal which is currently under restoration, of which so much has already been done. We then take the road through a couple of villages and then join back up with the canal just before Stonehouse, a small idyllic town of stone buildings.
Heading further along the canal we eventually meet Stroud, an old market town that sits at the foot of the Cotswold Hills and take a look around the town, its buildings and the small independent shops that are lit up in the run up to Christmas.
I absolutely adored this trail. Not only was it a relaxing scenic canal ride but everyone I passed along the way were happy and content, most saying hello. Stroud town centre was just what I needed for an end of year Christmas cycle ride.
Thank you to Julian Hawker for the trail idea in the comments some time ago. I didn’t get to cycle quite as far as I had wanted but the late rearrangement meant I had to economise the trail, but this does mean we can return again some time and go further.
I hope you enjoy this one and I hope you all have a happy Christmas and a great New Year.Thank you to everyone who has watched, commented and subscribed this year and since the start. It is really appreciated and I never thought it would get this far.
Until next year..
13 Comments
Christmas has come early for me !! Another of your lovely videos, and something special, as I was born in Stonehouse, went to school on Stroud, so these places are dear and familiar in my memory. Thanks & Happy Christmas !
Terrific – what a nice Christmas surprise! Trains, Bikes, Canals, and a generous helping of piano – a sure winner for me Madison! Plus one of my favourite canals – the G&S. Love those arm warmers – but it did look very cold out there. I see that big muddy patch is still there on the towpath…
Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year – I think you'll hit the 1,000 subscribers very soon – you definitely deserve it for the effort you put in to your videos.
All the very best, Jeff 😁
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Madison and all viewers :). Nice ride. Hope you get to do many more in 2025.
Great video familiar territory thanks for sharing
I am impressed. Brave, accomplished and stylish. I worked and cycled in Stroud 56 years ago and love the Cotswolds. Now I am in USA in NC. Chapeau!
What can I say, only, have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New year hun. It will soon be spring again. ❤
Nice ride. Beautiful nature you got there.Enjoyed it 😊
Nice x
Another good video, looking forward to the next one 👍
Great vid! I use your vids for training indoors,quite inspirational!
Hey, glad you enjoyed the ride, it's really interesting to see it as your POV through the camera.
I ride this loop a couple of times a year and just rode it a few weeks ago, summer is my favorite time to do it.
North of Stroud the canal becomes increasingly wild and woody, its the nicest bit IMHO. You can stay off the road right up until Sapperton tunnel portal, I then have a route of trails,back lanes and bridleways back to Gloucester.
I went to school with Luke who originated street pianos, they are now all over the world and radio 4 did a program about him a few years ago.
I have very much enjoyed your rides, films and music this year.
Take care and have a great Christmas.
Lovely to see, thanks Madison Ten. Hope that you have a pleasant Christmas 🎄🎅🎁
hehe, the piano in Gloucester? station was just to good to miss 😊
(perhaps it's just me, but I find that emergency service sirens destroy the peaceful ambiance …real life intruding)
Great video again!!! The shot of the church across the canal reminds me of Christmas Ghost stories. Not been to Gloucester docks for years used to go there on the motorbike. Have to ask do you make music for other channels? The reason I ask is we watch Dave and Logan walking channel and some of his music sounds very Madison Ten like?. Merry Christmas and a happy New "youtube" year !! xx Going to share some if your videos with channels across the pond if you like.